Placement Learning Expectations

The Placement Learning Expectations document sets out the general expectations and responsibilities of all those involved in the partnership between students, clinical staff, university lecturers, patients, service users and carers in the clinical education of health professionals.

Roles and Responsibilities

Students are advised that they must follow their placement provider's policies and guidelines at all times while on placement.

The roles and responsibilities of the student Physician Associate, the Medical Supervisor, Academic Advisor and Course Team, and Placement Academic Liaison (PAL) are outlined in detail on this page:

The Student

Prior to placement

• Consider the nature of the placement and familiarise yourself with the outcomes/competencies that could be achieved
• Identify priorities in skills/experiences
• Identify and document goals for development

During the placement

Students are advised that they must follow their placement provider's policies and guidelines at all times while on placement.

• Students must attend their allocated placement for the whole day/shift on all dates assigned to them by their placement provider
• Observe and participate in practice
• Ask relevant questions
• Reflect upon experiences and read related literature
• Actively seek feedback on performance

Prior to the mid-placement review you should complete a self-review, log experiences to date, reflect on what has been achieved, recognise areas for development and discuss how skill and competence can be developed further.

Prior to the final review, you should complete a self- assessment, log experiences, produce evidence of competencies and skills achieved to date and action plan for future achievement.

The Medical Supervisor

Prior to placement

• Your Medical Supervisor will check their availability to work with you, the student, particularly during the first week, when your initial interview will be required. Also, they will check that they are available on a regular basis throughout the placement. NB - Every student must be assigned a Medical Supervisor at the beginning of the placement experience, who will need to be available to students.
• Your Medical Supervisor is also asked to provide the University with an email contact address

During the placement

• Your Medical Supervisor will ensure that you are given an appropriate induction, which will be documented
• Your Medical Supervisor will conduct the initial interview and plan for your development on the placement
• Your Medical Supervisor will work alongside you, demonstrating and teaching evidence-based practice
• Your Medical Supervisor will directly observe and supervise your practice
• Your Medical Supervisor will provide feedback, both verbal and written, for you on your progress
• Your Medical Supervisor will document and liaise with your University Academic Advisor when your progress gives cause for concern
• Your Medical Supervisor will conduct and record a mid-placement and end of placement assessment with you

When your Medical Supervisor is not available to work directly with you, in order to safeguard patients and aid your learning, the Supervisor may delegate some day-to-day supervision to another registered health professional. As the student, you must always be supervised either directly or indirectly by a registered professional, appropriate to the nature of the placement and your ability as the student. Therefore, during the placement, a number of health practitioners may supervise you as the student and facilitate your development. Supervisors should provide regular feedback about your progress to your assigned Medical Supervisor.

Ultimately the Medical Supervisor’s role is to assess you, the student. Evidence from others adds 'rigour' to the assessment, helps to ensure the reliability of the assessment and reduces subjectivity in the assessment process as it is not based on a single person's viewpoint. However, it is important to note that the Medical Supervisor remains responsible and accountable for all your learning and assessment. Therefore, direct observation of you, the student, by the Medical Supervisor remains an important aspect of assessment. The Medical Supervisor must make the final judgement about whether there is sufficient evidence that you have achieved the required level of competence.

The Academic Advisor and Course Team

Your Academic Advisor and the course leader will liaise with the clinical placement areas to ensure you and your Supervisors receive appropriate information and support.

Prior to placement

• Ensure there are sufficient appropriate supervisors available for the students allocated
• Contact placements if any problems are anticipated
• Specifically check Medical Supervisor availability during the first week, when the initial interview is required. If the Supervisor is not available during the first week, a supervisor should be identified to support you, the student, and complete the initial interview and induction

During the placement

• Support you and your supervisor as required
• Support the assessment process when there are concerns about your progress in clinical practice
• Make contingency arrangements for your support if the Medical Supervisor becomes unavailable
• Provide guidance and feedback to ensure quality of learning, supervision and assessment

Placement Academic Liaison

The Placement Academic Liaison (PAL) provides ongoing support to the placement provider. Their role is to assure the suitability and quality of the placement. In partnership with the provider, they will conduct audits and review evaluations and feedback from students, supervisors and Academic Advisors, to ensure the quality of placement learning. They will also provide update to supervisors and placement staff, about the programme and their role in supporting student learning and assessment.